Dairy farmers who participate in the Initiative Tierwohl implement specific criteria for improved animal welfare. Dairy farms that participate in an ITW-recognized animal welfare programme for milk can deliver their slaughter cows to the ITW programme and also receive the defined price surcharge per kg of slaughter weight. It is important that dairy farmers coordinate with their recipients and reach agreements on the delivery of ITW animals. Below you will find the conditions of participation, criteria, and information on remuneration for dairy farming at a glance.

In order to participate in the Initiative Tierwohl, livestock owners must implement a series of criteria. All dairy farmers must comply with a clearly defined, compact catalog of requirements, which ensures that all animals in the ITW achieve the same high standard. Only in this way can the Initiative Tierwohl Seal provide a uniform statement about the way in which the animals were kept.

Certification bodies coordinate the independent inspections at participating agricultural businesses. Together with their employees, they form an important link between the operating company of the Initiative Tierwohl and the agricultural businesses participating in the initiative. They manage the inspection process and train the auditors who check and perform evaluations to determine whether the criteria are being implemented in accordance with the regulations.

Every company that is part of the Initiative Tierwohl is inspected once per calendar year. In addition, a stock check is carried out at one-third of the companies.